"I really think that what is happening with Trump is such an embarrassment to the United States — with the whole world depending on us for economic leadership — to have him leading the Republican — you know — I mean it may be fun for the Democrats, but it's not as fun for the reputation of our great country," Rangel said Wednesday on the Thom Hartmann radio show.

Poll results published Wednesday by the Pew Research Center's News Interest Index showed that Trump was the best-known of the potential contenders for the GOP's presidential nomination in 2012.